"N7" 0-6-2T no.69651 stands out of use on no.7 road in this rare colour shot.

The Annesley "Dido" was the workmans train that ferried staff between Bulwell Common,
Hucknall, Newstead and Annesley. Some trips were down the GN branch, serving Hucknall Town and Newstead, others were on the
GC main line, calling at Hucknall Central,Annesley South Platform, and Hollinwell and Annesley.

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Sacre 4-4-0 no.439

This photo of Sacre 4-4-0 no.439 was taken (waiting for her next "Dido" duty) on 21st July 1923.
Built at Gorton Works in May 1877, she was withdrawn from Annesley in October 1925

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An outside-framed 4-4-0 heads the 7.35 away from Bulwell Common in this 1925 photo.

In the early days (at least) for the benefit of the Carriage & Wagon staff, the
7.35 am departure from Bulwell Common was a five-coach formation, which returned from Annesley sidings at 5.10 pm on weekdays,
and about 1.00pm on Saturdays. Here we have Sacre 4-4-0 no.439 leaving Bulwell Common in 1925.

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"D12" 4-4-0 no.6466 is seen here at Bulwell Common in July 1926. She was withdrawn three months later.

A 1926 view of the "Dido" resting at Annesley Loco

LNER "D9" 4-4-0 no.6016 (62303) was based at Annesley from 8/11/1919 to 31/1/1937

Ex-Great Central Class "C14" 4-4-2T no.6124 with the Annesley "Dido" in 1929. Apart from a 6-month
break, she was at Annesley for 20 years, from May 1919 till May 1939. Renumbered 67444 By British Railways, she was withdrawn
from Gorton (39A) in July 1957 after a working life of 50 years.

The 1930's saw all but one of the "C14" 4-4-2T's shedded at Annesley (at various times) to work the "Dido".
Here we have no.6121. As 67441 she was withdrawn from Gorton (then 39A) in August 1957

"F2" 2-4-2T no.7105 stands at Newstead (GN) with the Bulwell-bound "Dido" in August 1946.

From 1942 till the summer of 1949 the "Dido" was worked by ex-GC Class "F2" 2-4-2 tank engines.
Here we have No.7105 at Newstead in August 1946. She was condemned in August 1948, leaving 7106 and 7107 soldiering on for
another year.

Here we have 7107 at Hucknall Central on 23rd July 1948 with the 14.18 departure to Bulwell Common.

The ex-GCR push & pull set E5344E stands in Annesley 'loco yard on 4th April 1954 (above), and is seen
at Newstead (GN) below.

The "Dido" stands at Newstead (GN) in this 1952 photo

.....It was then the turn of the "C12" 4-4-2 tanks! they worked the "Dido" from 1950 to 1956.

Probably the most memorable engine to work the "Dido", for trainspotters and enginemen
alike, was ex-GN Class C12 4-4-2T no.67363.

"N7" 0-6-2T no.69692 returned to its native G.E.territory in October 1956. (Wdn Sept.1962 from 30A)

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Driver Joe Barber withThe "Dido" at Newstead in1956

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The "Dido" has just passed under Farleys Lane bridge, propelled by an "N7" 0-6-2T on its way to
Bulwell Common in this c.1954 view.

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Ex-GE "N7" 0-6-2T no.69651 is propelling her two coaches into Bulwell Common station
in this early 'fifties shot.

The two "N7's" and 67363 soldiered on until October 1956, when all three
were replaced by a trio of ex-Great Central "A5" 4-6-2 Tanks, nos.69809, 69818 and 69825.

69818 leaves Bulwell Common with the with Dido on 9th October 1958

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Courtesy of Rex Pearl. This circular was posted on 13th September 1956

"A5" 4-6-2T no.69825 out of use 19/10/1958

69825 was on "Dido" duties from October 1956. She was transferred to Colwick in Dec.1958

copyright R.J.Blencowe (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

21st April 1958 sees "A5" 4-6-2T no.69818 parked on no.1 road

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These in turn lasted until December 1958, when "Midlandisation" had reared its ugly head!
January 1959 saw the arrival at Annesley of three Fowler Class "4" Tanks, nos. 42333, 42339 and 42361. They
lasted exactly a year before being transferred to Trafford Park (9E).

29th August 1959. Newstead (GN) station.

Annesley's 2-6-4T no.42361 departs with the "Dido" She was withdrawn from Gorton (9G) Feb.1964

When the rostered engine was out of action, any available loco' could be seen on the "dido". Here we have
a rare shot of "9F" no.92011 at Newstead (GN) on 5th May 1959

...and approaching Bulwell Common probably on the same date.

Not to be outdone, sister 92012 is seen here approaching Bulwell Common (below)

......next came the two engines that were probably the most suitable for the "Dido"
- Ivatt Class "2" Tanks nos.41280 and 41320. The latter was transferred to Exmouth Junction on the Southern Region in September
1961, leaving her sister to soldier on alone until April 1962.

41320 stands idle in May 1960

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41280 stands ready for another "Dido" duty. She was withdrawn from Leicester (Midland) in Dec.1962

41320 has just left Hucknall Town (ex-GN) station with the "up" Dido

Although the end was in sight for the "Dido" 41280 was replaced by yet three more "modern" engines. BR
Standard Class "2" 2-6-2 Tanks nos.84006,84007 and 84027.

84006 is seen here taking water at Bulwell Common.

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84006 awaits her next "dido" duty. Behind is sister engine 84007.

It has been suggested that the "Dido" was so nicknamed because it ran "day in, day out". Although
probably true,I cannot confirm this as I never heard it discussed in my time at Annesley.

No.5 link at Annesley was always known as the "Dido" Link, although it only formed a small part
of the link's 24 workings. Unfortunately, by the time I reached this link, the "Dido" had ceased to run. It stopped running
at the end of the Summer timetable on 8th September 1962.